In this study, a field experiment was conducted at the Minqin Experimental Station of the Gansu Institute of Hydraulic Sciences between 2016 and 2018 to investigate the influence of dual mulching with crushed wheat straw padding and plastic film combined with different irrigation amounts on soil nutrients and the growth of edible sunflower. The experiment was conducted using a two-factor design with four mulching methods and three irrigation levels. The results of the study revealed that the soil nutrients under the dual mulching of crushed wheat straw padding and plastic film showed significant improvement. The soil nutrient status showed a significant improvement by mulching in comparison with no mulching, and the dual mulching of crushed wheat straw padding and plastic film gave the best results compared to other mulching methods. The medium irrigation level shows better soil nutrient improvement as compared to other irrigation levels. The results obtained from the current experimental study in the Minqin oasis area with drought and little rain revealed that edible sunflowers can be grown under the dual mulching method of crushed wheat straw padding and plastic film as an optimal conservation tillage method.
This paper characterizes the fungal and bacterial colonizers of 5 types of plastic films (High-Density Polyethylene, Low-Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, and Polyethylene Terephthalate) throughout a 242-day incubation in the south-eastern Mediterranean and relates them to the chemical changes observed on the surface of the samples via ATR-FTIR. Neither bacterial nor fungal community structures were related[…]
This paper provides insights into the sustainable alternatives that can replace conventional plastic mulches, such as biodegradable mulches made from natural fibers and biopolymers. The microscopic and FTIR analyses conducted during the study showed the degradation of the fibers from the mulches during the exposure time to a certain extent. The nonwoven mulches provide higher[…]
This paper investigates the degradation of biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate/polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) and traditional polyethylene (PE) plastic under two typical abiotic conditions: ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and mechanical abrasion (MA) for up to nine months. The quantitative analysis of the degradation products was carried out using membrane filtration and total organic carbon determination (MF-TOCD). The results[…]
This paper identifies technological innovation, policy formulation, advocacy and sensitization, and bioremediation as some of the approaches that are currently used for the mitigation of plastic pollution in Nigeria. This chapter also highlights the need to encourage, enhance, and disseminate scientific research on mitigating the harmful effects of plastic pollution in Nigeria. It concluded with[…]
This review provides insights into the sources of microplastics, the ecotoxicity of microplastics, and the impact microplastics have on aquatic and marine life, management, and bioremediation of microplastics. Policies and strategies adopted by the government to combat microplastic pollution are also discussed in this review. Microplastics tend to accumulate in many aquatic systems, contaminate them,[…]